Time to play at their place

Random thoughts

We are improving game by game at a fast pace.  Look to win this one.

If I were them, I would play some 2 - 3 zone.

I feel really good about the team this year but think we may lose a bunch of games before conference play starts.

(11-28-2011 12:01 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Random thoughts

We are improving game by game at a fast pace.  Look to win this one.

If I were them, I would play some 2 - 3 zone.

I feel really good about the team this year but think we may lose a bunch of games before conference play starts.

I see this as a toss-up, at best. I have to see some evidence that they can play away from home, before I pick them to win a road game.

Heading down tomorrow to watch the game.

(11-28-2011 12:01 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Random thoughts

We are improving game by game at a fast pace. Look to win this one.
.

You are beginning to sound just like Wally small.

Bob, I just think with 9 new players we are going to get a lot better. There are two issue to over come at this point

1. Zone offense
2. Hitting open shots, and I think we will at some point

We might have to give up just a little defense to develop some offense. I believe Lockhart, Dillard and Lawton can play enough defense to get more minutes and maybe develop some rhythm and confidence in their perimeter shooting. We're playing very good defense, and we're not winning because we don't have enough offense. When you hold a team to 57 points, like we did the other night against Milwaukee, you're supposed to win. Tonight will be interesting to see how many minutes the three mentioned above will get.

The offense is an issue due to few open looks outside. The ball movement or the post game with ball movement back to the outside is an issue at this point. Tough to shoot the ball while being guarded in d1 and you are less than 6 foot tall.

I have noticed the big men are not kicking the ball back out quickly, but are fighting to get off a shot. Javes particularly, needs to kick the ball back out quickly on occasion, as does Courtney, rather than force shots inside. I'm not so sure that this isn't what they are coached to do. Our big men have never been known to make quick passes out to open shooters very often. Seems like the trend is continuing.

(11-29-2011 04:02 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  I have noticed the big men are not kicking the ball back out quickly, but are fighting to get off a shot. Javes particularly, needs to kick the ball back out quickly on occasion, as does Courtney, rather than force shots inside.

Courtney has 8 assists (tied for 2nd on the team). Javes has none.

Time to start a run. Let's get it done!

Anyone got any thoughts?

(11-29-2011 09:48 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Anyone got any thoughts?

This "work in progress" is going to take a lot longer than I thought. It was obviously silly of me to believe we could lose the conference POY and not miss a beat. And, of course, we were only a .500 team with him.

I look down the box score and there are 7 (total) years of D1 experience on this squad. And three of those years are one player (Courtney). Has to be one of the most inexperienced rosters in the country. The talent is there. If the kids are listening, they will get better.

Well, first of all, the 3PT shooting was some better. We hit 35.7% of our attempts, which is a percentage we could live with if we can sustain it.

How about Marlo?! 3 of 4 from the field. 4 of 4 from the line. Throw in a rebound for good measure. I am guessing he gets some of Javes' time in the next game.

I may be way off base, but I just don't like it when the point guard leads the team in rebounds. It could be happenstance, but he has other things he needs to be doing - or maybe he is having to do things other guys ought to be doing.

I said before the season that if WN could average 10 ppg and 5 rpg, I would be happy about his first season. Right on course so far. Solid game for Will on the offensive end, at least.

Eric Lawton shot 10 FTs. That is what I thought his game ought to be when he was signed. Penetrate and get fouled, hit the FTs. However, his five turnovers won't cut it.

Pretty solid game by WN.

Listening to the game, it appeared that handling the press was where we got killed, but it looks like the post players also got pounded. 39 to 31 on the board. 9 to 1 on blocks.

I hate to be too critical, but even jucos and freshmen ought to know how to break a press. Of course, knowing how and being able to do it are two different things. But this was Northwestern State, not Duke.